Home Garden and Landscape

Grow your gardening and landscape skills

We provide research-based and regional-specific information for backyard gardeners, insect enthusiasts, and plant lovers of all types.

Around the Garden Zoom Series

Throughout this series we will learn about basic gardening practices. If you are a new gardener and want a little help getting started, we invite you to attend any or all of this free series. Pre-registration is required for each class below. Participants will receive a link via email to join.

Beginner Gardening
May 3, 2021 at 5:30 pm
Recorded Presentation
Slides pdf

Raised Bed Gardening
May 10, 2021 at 5:30 pm
Register Here

Container Gardening
May 17, 2021 @ 5:30 pm
Register Here

Growing Herbs
May 24, 2021 @ 5:30 pm
Register Here

Garden Pollinators
May 31, 2021 @ 5:30 pm
Register Here

Where can I find resources and help?

Local OSU staff and trained OSU Master Gardener volunteers provide education in many ways:

Ask us questions: You may submit questions online ([email protected]), call & leave a message (541-296-1217), or visit our office by appointment. We will assist you in answering your gardening and lawn questions, including identifying your weed, disease, and insect problems and suggest research-based management for these issues.
Events: Attend a workshop or class.
Educational resources: Publications, books, and guides.

See below to learn more.

Photo: A. Detweiler (Cropped from original)

Classes and Events

May 11

Water-wise gardening | Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm PDT Online

May 12

Ten Proven Ideas for Pollinator Gardens: 10-Minute University™ Noon-Time Chat

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm PDT Online

May 17

Around the Garden Series: Container Gardening

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm PDT Online

May 18

Managing Your Forest with Fire in Mind - Part 2

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm PDT Online

See more events

Local Gardening Resources

Water-wise Gardening in Central Oregon

You can have a colorful and beautiful landscape while conserving water and saving time, energy and money. Learn innovative conservation techniques for water-wise gardening, or xeriscaping, in central Oregon. Full plant lists give you...

Amy Jo Detweiler | Jun 2020 | OSU Extension Catalog

Deer-resistant plants for Central Oregon

Below is a list of plants that tend to be more deer-resistant.

Amy Jo Detweiler, Paul MacMillan | May 2012 | Article

Central Oregon Vegetable Gardening

A collection of articles for growing vegetables in Central Oregon. Include general information, recommendations, soil temperatures, rhubarb, potatoes, cucumbers, beets, carrots, radishes, onions, tomatoes and tomatillos.

Jul 2018 | Collection

Recommended Vegetables for Central Oregon: Vegetable varieties and melons recommended by Oregon State University for 2011 are adapted to local growing conditions to produce the best yields in home gardens.
Common Insects Found in Central Oregon: A collection of some of the common insects found in central Oregon.

Monthly Garden Calendars

Are you wondering what to do in your garden this month? The OSU Extension garden calendar contains timely monthly garden tips including information about garden planning, maintenance and clean up, pest monitoring and management, houseplants, and indoor gardening.

Monthly Garden Calendars

Produced by OSU Extension, each month provides reminders of key garden chores, such as fertilizing, pest control, planting, and maintenance.

May 2018 | Collection

Wasco County Master Gardeners

Do you love gardening, want to advance your skills, and volunteer your time to help others learn? We provide Master Gardeners with tools to become better gardeners:

Research-based gardening techniques: Learn the art and science of growing and caring for plants using sustainable gardening practices. Our techniques are based on research by Oregon State University and other land-grant universities.
Grow your community: Meet beginner and expert gardeners in your community.
Learn by teaching: Provide gardening education in your community.
Gain confidence in your skills: We see Master Gardeners become more confident, outgoing, and aware of the need for their gardening knowledge.

Learn More

Get your questions answered

Gardening help and resources

Master Gardeners are trained by OSU faculty in proper plant care. They can help diagnose plant and garden problems, and give you research-based recommendations on how to solve them.

Wasco County Master Gardeners